Why Daddy Why?
By Ar- Elenriel
Chapter 7: Why is she so Ugly?
Several months had passed since Kratos and Anna had settled in Derris Kharlan. The Human Ranches had been disposed of and the buildings renovated to shelter those disabled or orphaned by the Desians. Mithos had re- planted the Holy Kharlan Tree at the base of the Tower of Salvation and re-named it the Unification Tree as a symbol of the new peace between Sylvarant and Tethe'Alla. Yuan and Kratos had recently finished re- ensouling all of the angels of Derris Kharlan. Lloyd had just celebrated his fourth birthday, and was excited about getting to start school down in Iselia. Anna was eight and a half months pregnant and due to deliver the infant Martel any day now.
Kratos was sitting at his desk busily preparing paperwork that would allow Dorr of Palmacosta to be crowned King of Sylvarant as he was the last living descendant of the Royal Families of both Sylvarant and Balacruf. Lloyd was sitting on the floor playing with his toy soldiers. He was not too happy at the moment because Anna had told him that his days of freedom were over. He would be starting school with other children the following Monday. "Daddy I don wanna go to school. I wanna stay home with you, and Mommy and Uncie Yuan and Uncie Mifos." Lloyd whined. "I don't like other kids Daddy pleasssee don't make me go." To Kratos this did not look good. Whining usually signalled an imminent temper storm. These tempers made Kratos 'ears ring, skin crawl and head ache. He did not appreciate them at all. This was why Anna usually dealt with them. However: Anna was not feeling well today and had spent most of the day in her bed.
"Lloyd please don't whine so? It gives me a headache." said Kratos firmly. He wanted to nip this tantrum in the bud before Lloyd truly got a good chance to get going. "Little one are you afraid of starting school Monday? "asked Kratos lifting one of his eyebrows quizzically. "You will be fine Lloyd. School is fun and you will learn many things that your mother and I cannot teach you. You will make friends your own age instead of having to be friends with angels that are hundreds of years older than you." Kratos picked up his small cranky son and cuddled him close
"Daddy what if the other kids don't like me? What if they beat me up and steal my lunch? What if my teacher is mean? Do I haveta stay with Frank and Phaidra? All of these questions poured out of Lloyds mouth one after the other as Lloyd did not even stop to catch his breath. He cuddled close to his father and wrapped small chubby arms around Kratos' neck. He was feeling very insecure. Insecure in a way that only a four year old about to have a baby sibling and about to start school for the first time could feel. He wanted his mother to cuddle him to but Anna had grown increasingly tired as her pregnancy progressed and had not had the energy to play with and cuddle Lloyd as she used to.
Kratos answered Lloyd as he begun putting his recently completed stack of paper work into his out box. "Lloyd I am sure that you will make friends. You are a nice little boy and a helpful one to. Those are good qualities in a friend and people will see this. If anyone beats you up or takes your lunch either Frank or I will talk to your teacher and the parents of those children for you. No one will hurt my little son OK. And you will only have to stay with Frank and Phaidra on the three days a week that you will attend school, you are only in preschool after all. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday you will stay with Frank and Phaidra. You will play with Franks' daughter Collette, and go to school. After school on Wednesday either I or your mother will pick you up and bring you home ok. I love you Lloyd." Lloyd seemed happy with this answer and snuggled against Kratos' side for a nap.
All of the sudden one of the Angel Swordian's burst into the room with an anxious look on her doll like face. "Lord Kratos come quickly! Lady Anna has gone into labour." shouted the little angel. Kratos handed the sleeping child over to the angel and gave her instruction to take him to the nursery and put him down for his nap. Kratos began racing for his bedroom.
As the hours passed Kratos began to grow worried. Yuan and Mithos had told them that Phaidra did not want him to be in the delivery room as it might distract Anna from the task at hand. So he paced, and more hours passed. Yuan and Mithos took turns pacing with him. They were all anxiously awaiting the birth of future daughter, sister, and beloved. Finally Phaidra appeared at the door and told them that they could go in now. By this point Lloyd had woken up and joined his father and uncles. They all quietly tip toed into the bedroom and saw a weary Anna lying amongst the blankets and pillows holding a tiny blanket wrapped bundle. Kratos nervously approached the bed and took the tiny baby in his arms. He smiled at his wife and handed the baby to Mithos who was bouncing up and down like a pinball in his eagerness to hold his little sister. Mithos than passed the baby to Yuan.
Yuan held the baby lower so that Lloyd could see his little sister. Martel was rather red, and still rather squashed looking from the birth. Kratos helped Lloyd up onto the side of the bed so that Lloyd too could hold his small sister for a moment. Lloyd carefully held his little sister. He counted her fingers, and toes. He looked at the blue eyes that would soon turn to the same brown as his own. He stroked the little streak of green that ran down the center of her head and then kissed the top of her head, and handed Martel back to Anna. He then began to ask one more in his series of endless questions. " Daddy why is she so ugly, and why does she smell like the bottom of a swamp?" At that everyone burst into laughter and Kratos hugged Lloyd close as they left the room for Lloyds bath.